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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Was I actually at a Catholic Mass? Judith W. Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Question:

My spouse and I were invited to a cousin's wedding in Calif last weekend. Someone identified by the groom as "our monk and a priest" [in white vestments, a Benedictine?] set up a table outdoors [wedding was at a Golf Club] with Eucharist materials. He conducted what very closely resembled a Catholic Eucharist/Mass, and "invited everyone present to receive Communion." This totally surprised me.

There were two scripture readings, and two "pop text" readings, but nothing from a gospel.

We are not sure whether this was a "Catholic Mass" or not. I know that bishops can dictate their own rules for their dioceses, but this situation had me perplexed.

What do you make of it?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Judith,

You haven't said anything that tells me absolutely for sure that it was a Catholic Mass.  If it indeed was Catholic, then there were some serious problems.  Bishops do have some authority in their dioceses to make rules, but ONLY specifically where Rome allows them.  Bishops to NOT have the authority to make any of the changes that you have mentioned.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.